Alpinia officinarum
Alpinia officiinarum, commonly known as Galangal, is a versatile medicinal plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Renowned for its pungent aroma and spicy flavor, it possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Traditionally used in Asian medicine, it effectively aids digestion, alleviates nausea, and supports overall digestive health.
- Scientific name: Alpinia officinarum
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Alpinia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alpinia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed throughout specific regions of Southeast Asia and East Asia. In China, its presence is noted in Hainan and across China Southeast. Moving into the Indo-China peninsula, it can be found growing in Cambodia. The species also inhabits various parts of Myanmar within the same region. Finally, its geographical range extends into Vietnam, completing its documented distribution.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Chemicals
Alpinia officinarum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, 2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene, 5-hydroxy-7-(4''-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone, compound 2, compound 3.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxy-7-(4''-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| compound 2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| compound 3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| compound 4 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eucalyptol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galangal acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galangin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Alpinia officinarum has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Carminative, Neuroprotective, Stimulant.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carminative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alpinia officinarum has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatism, Candida albicans, arthritis, cancer, epilepsy.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rheumatism | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epilepsy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| male infertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| skin aging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |